Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
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by Luigi Galvani*
Kupang (Agenzia Fides) – Among the many dreams that fill a missionary's heart are those of conversions, vocations, works of charity… and others, simpler and more practical, that carry the scent of everyday life. Yet even these can become concrete signs of God's love. When the Camillians came to Indonesia sixteen years ago, their dream was clear: to serve the sick and the poor in the spirit of Saint Camillus de Lellis. In recent years, many initiatives have indeed been launched step by step, both in the field of education, and in the social field, where hundreds of families in need are being supported and dozens of people with mental health issues are being helped. Alongside these important projects, three "original" dreams also emerged, perhaps unexpected, but full of meaning: San Camillo water, San Camillo ice cream, and San Camillo pizza.
It took almost sixteen years for these initiatives to become reality. They didn't originate from a financial plan or a business strategy. They sprang from the simple desire to bring a little ‘Italian’ touch to the many children, the poor, the sick, and friends of the mission. A sign of joy. A moment of shared enthusiasm.
San Camillo mineral water—affectionately called "holy water" because of its purity and quality—has been distributed for ten years at the San Camillo social center in Maumere. Providing safe, tested drinking water is an important public health service. Many in need receive it free of charge, especially during difficult times.
Then came San Camillo ice cream. Who would have thought that a small Italian-style ice cream parlor could open on the remote Indonesian island of Flores? But the children's shining eyes at the sight of an ice cream cone speak volumes. Gelato San Camillo wasn't founded to make a profit, but to bring joy. Every time a child tastes "real" ice cream, made with love, for the first time, we feel that this too is a form of evangelization: making someone feel loved and valued, and giving them something to celebrate.
And finally, the latest example: Pizza San Camillo. Another small sign of how Italy is committed to helping others. Baking a pizza and sharing it with young people, families, and the sick becomes an opportunity for encounter, community, and dialogue.
The focus of these three initiatives is certainly not profit, but joy. It's the desire to create places of peace, dignity, and normalcy in often difficult circumstances. Ultimately, this too is our mission: not just to build structures or launch programs, but to create small moments of beauty. A glass of cold water. An ice cream to share. A pizza eaten together. These are simple dreams. Yet, in the many smiling faces, the Gospel is reflected in action. And after sixteen years, we can say that even these small gestures have become concrete caresses for so many children, the poor, and the sick of Indonesia. (Agenzia Fides, 28/2/2026)
*Camillian missionary in Kupang on the island of Timor
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